playful
Full of fun
Playful describes a mood or manner that's lighthearted and fun-seeking rather than serious.
A playful puppy romps and tumbles; a playful remark teases without malice.
The word suggests energy and spontaneity—someone in a playful mood might joke around, flirt, or engage in gentle mischief.
She gave him a playful shove.
Playfully mischievous in manner
- roguishMischievously charming
- naughtyMildly disobedient
- puckishWhimsically inclined to tease
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
arch · rascally · elfin · devilish · sly · prankish · coy · pixieish
Cheerful and friendly
- buoyantAble to float
- sunnyBright with daylight
- blitheCheerfully indifferent
- upbeatCheerfully optimistic
genial · jolly · merry · gleeful · chipper · effervescent · vivacious · ebullient
Imaginatively unrealistic
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- capriciousSubject to sudden changes
- imaginativeAble to conceive new ideas
- fantasticalExtravagantly unreal or imaginary
unpredictable · zany · offbeat · kooky · eccentric · droll · idiosyncratic · flighty
Playing with energetic movement
- gambolingPlayful jumping about
- cavortingMoving playfully, energetically
- prancingShowy high-stepping movement
- friskingSearching someone's clothing
rollicking · tumbling · capering · larking · bounding · leaping · frolicking · scampering
Organized competitive activities
- recreationRefreshment through leisure
- competitiveDriven by rivalry
- athleticPhysically strong and active
- energeticHaving much vigor
active · physical · roughhousing · wrestling · sparring · racing · chasing · tagging
impish
Playfully mischievous in manner
teasing · arch · rascally · elfin · devilish · sly · prankish · coy · pixieish · waggish
jovial
Cheerful and friendly
upbeat · genial · jolly · merry · gleeful · chipper · effervescent · vivacious · ebullient · exuberant
fanciful
Imaginatively unrealistic
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- capriciousSubject to sudden changes
- imaginativeAble to conceive new ideas
fantastical · unpredictable · zany · offbeat · kooky · eccentric · droll · idiosyncratic · flighty · airy
romping
Playing with energetic movement
- gambolingPlayful jumping about
- cavortingMoving playfully, energetically
- prancingShowy high-stepping movement
frisking · rollicking · tumbling · capering · larking · bounding · leaping · frolicking · scampering · gallivanting
games
Organized competitive activities
- recreationRefreshment through leisure
- competitiveDriven by rivalry
- athleticPhysically strong and active
energetic · active · physical · roughhousing · wrestling · sparring · racing · chasing · tagging · dodging
joking
Saying things in fun
amusing · funny · facetious · tongue-in-cheek · bantering · jesting · clowning · goofing · wisecracking · quipping
- family-friendlywholesome, kid-friendly, G-rated, PG, all ages
- childlike traitscurious, innocent, imaginative, young, youthful
- creative traitscreative, imaginative, inventive, innovative, original
- dog traitsloyal, friendly, loyalty, devoted, obedient
- mischievousimpish, sly, prankster, roguish, cheeky
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
playfulserious
Weighty and requiring attention
earnest · serious-minded · no-nonsense · businesslike · purposeful
- playful banterLighthearted teasing exchange
- playful natureSpirited, fun-loving temperament
- playful interactionsLighthearted social exchanges
- playful as a kittenExuberantly spirited and carefree
- playful behaviorLively, fun-loving conduct
- playful anticsSpirited mischief for amusement